Ask HN: What can I buy for under $50 that will most dramatically improve my life

18 points by sndean ↗ HN

36 comments

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This may not be what your looking for but there are two things that will improve your life the most. Health and Knowledge.

So either a some dumbbells/kettlebell or a good book. You might be able to buy both....

if you live someone that has public libraries, there's no need to buy books. spend $0 on a library card
and you can use your body weight for exercise, spend $0 on dumbbells.
There are two ways to go with that question.

Option one: What will most dramatically improve your life economically? That will almost certainly be some tool that you can use to create a side income stream. (In the third world, it's often a sewing machine.)

Option two: What will most dramatically improve your quality of life? That depends. What inconvenience most annoys you? Could you solve it by buying something that costs less than $50?

1-Insta pot on discount 2- Ralph Waldo Emerson's collection, namely self reliance.
Bidet or weed
A rescue puppy and a bag of dog food.
Raspberry pi3 I used mine to get a new job that almost triples my income.
I have one on order. Can't wait. What job were you able to use a pi3 to prepare for? Thanks!
> What job were you able to use a pi3 to prepare for?

Yeah, I'd like to know as well

I've worked in large scale Linux systems administration for a decade. The pi is a really great way to get started in my field (although of course I am saying this as an established professional, not someone who learned on them)
Thats pretty damn legit.
"Getting started with Raspberry Pi" is the best introduction to Linux systems I have ever seen. Simple language, exhaustive, informative.
I would say the best thing you can make for $50 is a space bucket so you can start growing. All you need is a tutorial, a light bulb, seed, power strip and you can upgrade as you go.

http://imgur.com/a/ASyEY

Buy a pillow that fits your sleeping pattern.
Mechanical keyboard with cherry MX blue switches. Especially if you type every day for a living (programmer, writer).
50 USD is tight though..
Just gotta keep an eye out for a deal, I think there was one on /r/buildapcsales for $27 recently.

I paid around $60 for a Corsair a couple of years ago. I'm sure slightly less fancy brands or models go for under $50 once in a while.

A USB battery pack for recharging my phone made a big difference for me.
A dog from animal shelter is free, spend that 50 on accessories and food for it. Seriously, go get a dog.
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Getting a dog is a great idea (especially from a shelter), but I just want to set realistic cost expectations here.

My fiance volunteers for PAWS and it is typically a minimum of $350 in fees to leave with a dog. Also, dog food can add up (the dog we recently adopted needs grain-free food due to an allergy) so it's about $750 a year for a 28 lb dog (I would say minimum of $300 for cheaper food). Then you should take your pet in once a year to the vet and get heartworm, flea & tick medicine, etc (another min. $350 a year). And you'll probably want to get your dog a doggy bed, collar, leash, treats, etc. Obviously anyone can cut out or short cut some of these expenses, but this should be the minimum spend expectation in my fiance's opinion.

Well, obviously there are some reasons to live in Russia :) Every animal shelter is more than willing to give you a dog for free, dog food (a really good one) is around 50USD per month for a 55 lbs dog, annual vaccine is 12USD and rabies vaccine is free (government-sponsored). Heartworm, flea & tick medicine - 10USD every 3 months.
I don't know any shelter that gives animals away for free. It is typically very low cost compared to retail pricing on animals but they aren't free.
I'll be counter-cultural. Get a Bible.
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That sounds like enough for 10 cups of coffee, so 5 coffee meetings/dates. Ask a stranger out. Turn an acquaintance into a friend, or reconnect with a friend you haven't been in touch with. Buy a former colleague a cup of joe, and ask how they are doing. Buy a potential colleague at a different company a cup, and ask them if they like their current job.
A change in your perspective. Buy some really good, perspective transforming books and read them. Sorry I don't wish to offer advice on which books at this time, but there must be some such books for you somewhere.

A change in perspective can be incredibly powerful. And valuable. And I think, anything that can alter the way you see the world and yourself dramatically, is probably the most dramatic way to alter your life.

Your first opera ticket.
5 coffees with people you find interesting or dinner with a close friend =)